How Much Does It Cost to Make a Will?
Last updated: May 14, 2026 by the How Much Does That Cost? editorial team. Estimates are informational - see our methodology.
A will costs anywhere from free to over $1,000, depending on how you create it: a self-written DIY will costs nothing, an online estate planning service typically runs $10 to $250 (averaging around $160), and an attorney-drafted will usually costs $300 to $1,000 or more, with complex estates going higher. This guide covers cost estimation only and is not legal advice — for guidance specific to your situation, consult a licensed estate planning attorney.
The biggest factor is who prepares the document. A simple estate with one property and clear beneficiaries keeps costs at the low end of whichever method you choose, while trusts, blended families, business ownership, or multiple properties push attorney fees toward the higher end.
Quick Answer
Typical range: $300 – $1,000
Low end
$0
High end
$2,500+
Actual pricing varies by location, project size, materials, labor rates, and job complexity. Use the calculator below for an estimate tailored to your project.
It Cost to Make a Will? Cost Calculator
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Estimated Project Cost
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Typical estimate: —
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Cost Breakdown
How a typical project budget breaks down by category.
| Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Attorney consultation & drafting | $200 – $700 |
| Document review & revisions | $75 – $200 |
| Witnessing & notarization | $15 – $75 |
| Filing / storage fees | $10 – $25 |
What Affects the Cost
How the will is prepared
A self-written will costs nothing but carries the most risk of errors, an online service adds guided structure and legal review for a modest fee, and an attorney costs the most but tailors the document to your specific situation and state requirements.
Estate complexity
A simple estate with one property and clear beneficiaries is quick and inexpensive to document, while trusts, business ownership, blended families, or multiple properties require significantly more attorney time.
Adding a trust
Pairing a will with a living trust to help assets avoid probate adds a substantial cost on top of the base will, since a trust is a separate, more detailed legal document.
Additional documents
Many people create a will alongside a power of attorney and healthcare directive at the same time, which most attorneys and online services bundle at a discount versus ordering separately.
State of residence
Attorney hourly rates and document requirements vary by state, so the same will can cost noticeably more in a high cost-of-living area than in a lower-cost region.
Number of people covered
Married couples creating mirror or reciprocal wills together typically pay somewhat more than a single individual, but usually less than two completely separate engagements. A will is also commonly revisited after a major life change such as an uncontested divorce, which can affect beneficiaries and estate distribution.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
Doing it yourself
A DIY will using a free template or basic software costs little to nothing and can work for a very simple estate, but it carries the highest risk of a mistake — such as a wording issue or missed witness requirement — that could make the document invalid in your state.
Hiring a professional
An online estate planning service adds guided questions and some legal review for $10-$250, while an attorney costs $300-$1,000+ but tailors the will to your state's requirements and can advise on trusts, guardianship, and complex assets.
Bottom line: A DIY or online will is often reasonable for a simple estate with a small, clear set of beneficiaries; an attorney is generally worth the added cost once a trust, business ownership, blended family, or multiple properties are involved.
Ways to Save
- Use an online estate planning service instead of an attorney if your estate is straightforward and you have a small number of beneficiaries.
- Create mirror or reciprocal wills together with a spouse in a single engagement rather than paying for two separate wills.
- Bundle a power of attorney and healthcare directive with your will at the same appointment, since many providers offer a package discount.
- Keep your estate simple where possible — fewer properties, accounts, and named beneficiaries mean less drafting time and a lower fee.
- Ask attorneys for a flat fee quote upfront rather than agreeing to hourly billing for a standard will.
- Revisit and update an existing will instead of drafting a new one from scratch after a major life event, since amendments typically cost less than a full rewrite.
- If you own a business, coordinate your will with any related LLC formation or operating agreement documents so ownership succession is clearly addressed.
How We Estimated This Cost
We model each calculator from public price ranges, labor data, material pricing, industry surveys, and the regional adjustment method explained in our methodology. Estimates are reviewed for consumer usefulness, then shown as ranges because local quotes, site conditions, materials, and timing can change the final price.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to make a will?
A will costs nothing if you write it yourself using a free template, $10 to $250 through an online estate planning service (averaging around $160), or $300 to $1,000 or more with an attorney, depending on how complex your estate is.
Why do some sources say the average will costs closer to $900?
That figure is a blended average across all preparation methods, including complex attorney-drafted estate plans with trusts. Broken out by method, DIY is free, online services average around $160, and attorney-drafted wills typically run $300-$1,000+.
Can I write my own will for free?
Yes, free templates and basic software let you write a will yourself at no cost, though the document still needs to meet your state's signing and witnessing requirements to be valid.
Why does adding a trust cost so much more?
A trust is a separate, more detailed legal document than a will, requiring additional drafting to specify how and when assets are distributed, which is why it typically adds several hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Do online will services cost less than a lawyer?
Yes, online services typically cost $10-$250 compared to $300-$1,000+ for an attorney, though attorneys can address complex situations like trusts or business assets that most online services are not designed to handle. Some families also factor in funeral and burial preferences at the same time they document a will, since both involve planning ahead for end-of-life decisions.
How much does a will writing service cost?
A will writing service (an online, guided document-preparation service rather than a traditional law firm) typically costs $10-$250, averaging around $160, and usually includes a basic questionnaire, a state-compliant template, and printing instructions rather than one-on-one legal advice.